I participated in Fernway's Incoming Kindergarten Students event on April 29, by presenting a lesson to all incoming kindergarten students and their families.
I participated in the Mercer "Open House/Curriculum Night" on September 2, by explaining to families how classroom learning and IB would be extended to the library. I also passed out information on the databases available through the Shaker Heights School District.
I sent a letter home to the parents of my kindergarten students during the week of September 22, when kindergarteners checked out books for the first time. The letter detailed school library policies and gave tips on how to read and discuss the books brought home to increase literacy and understanding. The letter (adapted with permission from Kristen Roope) is attached below.
I created grade-appropriate newsletters to be distributed by classroom teachers during their fall conferences. The newsletter introduced myself, provided reading tips, and summarized some of the best databases and tools available to Shaker families, as well as providing directions on how to access them.
I sent home instructions with our 4th (December) and 3rd grade (January) students on how to access the digital media services available through our District. This corresponded with a lesson and demonstration on audio and e-books. (Instruction sheet created by, and used with permission from, Mary Ann Durkalski.)
When new resources became available in/through the library, I sent an email to faculty highlighting the new resources with suggestions on how they may be used in the classroom.
I sent an email to the Fernway faculty in November regarding the new design of the library. Because the library and computer lab at Fernway are housed within the same room, I wanted to be sure to share my purpose for making these changes, as well as allow feedback and suggestions on how the new layout would impact teachers.
I sent an email to the 4th grade teachers making sure they were aware of Scholastic's online immigration resources during that grade's immigration IB unit. I also let them know which of the interactive resources I would be using during library classes.
I sent an email to Kindergarten and First Grade teachers in February to gather input on two sets of picture-book style non-fiction books that I was considering ordering. I wanted to check if the topics covered in these books were an active part of the curriculum before I made a decision about purchasing these resources.
I sent an email to all faculty at Fernway and Mercer Elementary Schools to make them aware of our new subscription to the National Geographic Kids database. I gave an overview of the resource, suggestions on how it may be helpful in the classroom, and offered to give assistance in using this resource.
I sent an email to all Faculty and Staff at Fernway to inform them of our new lockdown drill "safe spot" in the library/computer lab. I worked with Principal Hayward to designate this new spot after the redesign of the library.
I attend weekly Common Planning Time meetings at Fernway with other single-subject teachers and our IB coordinator in order to maximize the integration of the IB program in my library lessons. Reports with details of IB integration in the library for each unit are attached below.
Because the Fernway library and computer lab occupy the same room, library classes must be held in the home classrooms during any testing that utilizes the computer lab. To date, I have had to hold 36 classes outside of the library. This requires extensive planning and collaboration with teachers and with my library/technology aide, Claudia McCord, to identify any free time periods when testing is not taking place so that classes can come to get new library books during those times.
Communication with Faculty
Collaboration